Learning from the Virus: The Impact of the Pandemic on Communication, Media and Performing Arts Disciplinary Fields: A Round-Table
Abstract
From a sociological point of view, this is a truly challenging time: a time of 'revelation' as well as possible 'revolution', capable of revealing many of the pathologies of our lifestyle. The Coronavirus crisis has exposed the way our society works in a sort of a global social experiment, which provides the opportunity to question many of the categories and paradigms of our disciplines, as well as our way of life.
More profoundly, the virus has exposed the structural tensions at the basis of our social, economic, political life. Our duty as intellectuals, as teachers, and as academics is today to find a way to inhabit this tension in a more integral, inclusive, fair way rather than to dream to solve it by removing or suppressing one of the aspects at play.
It is therefore necessary to explore the many possible ways to exit this situation, transforming this crisis into an opportunity for positive change. This polyphonic article, stemming from a moment of common discussion kept online, aims to be a contribution to this effort.